A blog about the life and times of one, Mrs Elizabeth Adams. Her art, her ideas, and her ramblings.

Monday, August 13, 2012

Back to School!

I can't believe the countdown is here for my kiddos to go back to school! This summer has been so crazy and I am glad to get back to the daily schedules and routine of school. If you find yourself not too excited... just wait a minute. I have something for you that will get you in the mood for freshly sharpened pencils and class schedules. My lovely friend Penny got some of us cookiers together for a cookie collaboration. Each of us got to pick a subject and cookie it.

I chose Music and doing these cookies brought back so many memories. I LOVED lining up and walking over to the Music Room in elementary school where we got to try out different instruments. Mrs. Klemm made music so fun. I will never forget tapping the rhythm sticks together and the whole class in unison chanting out the TA-TA-TEE-TEE-TAS! {I hope this makes sense to someone else!} In 4th grade I had to earn money to buy my very own flutophone! I treasured my white and red instrument and faithfully practiced, which I'm sure was not in any way annoying or shrill.

Mr. Schmutz taught me to play my first real instrument in band. Starting in 5th grade, I lugged that trumpet on the bus every day after my friend talked me into it {and then never showed up!}. He was very patient with me and such a sweet man. When I began to slack in my trumpeting duties in 6th grade he called me at home and we talked, and I made excuses, and then I cried. I found out he passed away a couple of months ago from cancer.

Mrs. Stoddard was my first choir teacher and was so wonderfully engaging and dedicated. She even sent out report cards and wrote encouraging sentiments that brightened my sixth grade self's singing heart.

Then in Junior High I was reunited with Mrs. Klemm as a choir teacher. I learned songs there that I still know every word to and sing them out in my car. Mrs. Klemm would be proud of my projection.

In High School, Mrs. Lorimer took over choir teaching duties. I got my first solo "It's in His Kiss" as a freshman and stuck around to enjoy all four years of choir tours, show choir choreography, singing in sequins and memories and friends that I will treasure forever.

During my brief stint in college I was lucky to have Ms. Kennamer teach me music theory and she even created a class of 6 to create a chamber group where I got to perform challenging piano pieces with our very own band. Okay, so our "band" was a violin, viola, cello, a flute, a clarinet and me on piano, but we totally rocked those chamber pieces! It really pushed me out of my comfort zone and I learned so much.

Mrs. Girolo and Colleen Aceto were my Musical Theater teachers and that was just plain fun. We put on a 60's musical review complete with costumes, dancing and a band... and set the stage for me to meet Mr. John... but THAT is another story...

I know that was quite the walk down memory lane, but I just want to say, THANK YOU to all who helped shape my love of music. I was so lucky that every one of my music teachers was beyond dedicated and inspired me so much.

Oh! and I have to mention my mom who was an incredible piano teacher. Hundreds of kids {and some adults} came through our house, learning a new skill thanks to my mom and the sound of emerging pianists playing will forever be a part of the soundtrack of my life. She taught me all the basics and let me go at my own pace and helped me when I needed her... even after hours. Even though she is retired now, she has a select few students that she has taken on: MY kids!

7 comments:

Liz, you made me cry! Remembering some of the shared teachers we had and enjoyed together. So sad about Mr. Schmutz. So fun to hear your memories and to see you sharing your love for music through cookies. :) (I'm also excited to be the first to write a comment on this post, that hasn't happened in forever)

What a beautiful tribute to your teachers and your love of music. I rolled over the TA-TA-TEE-TEE-TAS. My girls came home thinking their music teacher made that exercise up - they were not fans of that exercise. My grandson starts school this year and my daughter received an invitation from the school today to attend the Boo Hoo/Woo Hoo coffee the first day of school. You certainly are a multi-talented young lady.

Fantastic cookies as ususal you are so talented. Loved the Amazing Race. I live in UK and our kids go back to school beginning of September and I have just bought all the new school uniforms,shoes and trainers etc. My son loves music and belongs to a drama,singing & dancing club held on a saturday but the is at their week long holiday camp this week.Dan has ADHD so finds it difficult to fit in sometimes but this has been a blessing in disguise his teachers at his school are wonderful (he goes to a main stream school and not a special school)So thank you to all those special teachers.